Developing Formulations Designed to Deliver Antiseptic Agents to Target Sites Within the Skin

This thesis evaluated the effectiveness of nanoemulsion formulations in delivering antiseptic agents, specifically triclosan, to deeper skin layers to address healthcare-associated infections. The study highlighted two main challenges: poor penetration of antimicrobial agents and lack of miscibility with sebum, which hinder effective antisepsis. Nanoemulsions, prepared using high-pressure and high-shear homogenisation techniques, showed promise in overcoming these barriers. The study found that a low concentration of surfactant mixture (0.34% W/W of Tween 80/Span 80) resulted in the highest retention of triclosan in the skin, as confirmed by tape-stripping and micro CT scanning. Additionally, Hansen solubility parameters were used to predict the miscibility of nanoemulsions with artificial sebum, demonstrating their potential as a predictive tool for formulation development.